CHICAGO – September 5, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn was joined today by Veterans and labor leaders to highlight the success of the Helmets to Hardhats program for returning servicemembers. Skills obtained through the program help transition Veterans from military duties to careers in the construction industry. The program also provides job placement assistance.

“It is important to recognize the hard work and dedication of our state’s workforce throughout the year, but particularly on Labor Day weekend,” Governor Quinn said. “Thanks to the Helmets to Hardhats program, some of the most honored and respected members of our society, our servicemembers, are receiving the training they need to transition into good-paying jobs.”

Throughout his time in office, Governor Quinn has advocated for all laborers throughout Illinois. Governor Quinn has also committed himself to protecting the rights of employees, like signing legislation to prohibit discrimination based on pre-employment credit screenings.

Helmets to Hardhats is a national initiative which connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military servicemembers to high-quality construction industry training and employment opportunities. The program, administered by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans Employment, seeks to ease the challenging transition to civilian life for servicemembers and their families.

Launched in 2003, Helmets to Hardhats is co-sponsored by all 15 building and construction trade organizations and their employer associations, together representing around 82,000 contractors. There are currently more than 157,000 Helmets to Hardhats candidates registered, all of whom have access to the program’s current listing of more than 80,000 available jobs.

The Illinois Helmets to Hardhats program is generally recognized as the model for the national Helmets to Hardhats campaign. Much of this success can be attributed to a strong effort from teamster local unions, state agencies and local Veteran support groups joining together to support returning Illinois servicemembers.